CABO SAN LUCAS RECREATION

If you want an active vacation, you have come to the right place! Cabo San Lucas is a great place to relax, unwind, and just do nothing, but it's also a great place to blow off a little steam and get the heart pumping.

Much of the recreation in Cabo is water oriented, and if you like to get wet, this is the place to do it! Diving, kayaking, parasailing, sailing, snorkeling, surfing, and windsurfing...it's all here. And because the ocean water temperatures is warm almost all year long, it's a real pleasure to indulge in these wet sports.

The waters off of Cabo San Lucas are an important part of the city's future. Cabo is the only city in Mexico to have a marine preserve within it's city limits. The 14 square mile protected area was designed to control boating, fishing and recreation in this very special part of the Sea of Cortez.

Not too keen on getting wet? No worries, Mate! Cabo also offers plenty to do on dry land, such as A.T.V. rentals, bikes, golfing, gymnasiums, horeback riding and more. It's all here...just waiting for you!

Many of Cabo's recreational options are tied to the beautiful Cabo San Lucas Bay. For more information on preserving this spectacular natural resource check out the web site of SAVE CABO BAY.

ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES & SCOOTERS

ATV's are a great way to explore the hills and valleys behind Cabo San Lucas, as well as the town itself. These small 4 wheel vehicles can go just about anywhere, and can be a ton of fun to ride for an hour or two.

Three hour guided trips to the old lighthouse (El Faro Viejo) north of town are usually a ton of fun, and most riders come back exhausted and happy!

Another fun excursion is the half day trip to La Candelaria, up in the mountains north of Cabo.

Riding on the beach anywhere between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo is not permitted!

CABO'S MOTO RENT

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-0808.
Located on the main road coming into town across from the Marina's main ramp, next to Advantage Car Rental and Latitude 22 Restaurant.
ATV rentals and tours to the old lighthouse, a cactus tour and a tour to La Candelaria 15 miles north of Cabo.
Most tours are 3 hours long. Gilligan would be proud.

KARLA MOTOCYCLE RENTALS

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-2188.
Located at Plaza Nautica next to the Baskin Robins.
BMW's, dirt bikes and scooters for rent.
Tours also available to Cabo Falso and El Faro Viejo. 24 hour rates available!
Master Card and Visa accepted.
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

SERGIO'S QUAD RENTALS

Located across the street from the Plaza las Glorias Hotel.
A fine selection of quad-runners, helmuts included!

BIKES & MOTORCYCLES

There's nothing like cruising around Cabo on a bike! Heading up the west coast towards Todos Santos is like riding in a dream, and the road north to Buena Vista has some great views.

For a real adventure, ride the entire 1,000 mile Baja Peninsula! People do it everyday. Usually Europeans.

Speaking of riding a bike down the Baja Peninsula, you can't believe what this group of knuckleheads does each year for fun...that's right, these guys get on their bikes at sunrise (4:30 in the morning) at the Tijuana border and do a bee-line for Cabo San Lucas to catch sunset! Winning time? Just over 10 hours last year.

BAJA ADVENTURE.COM

CABO BAJA RIDER - HARLEY DAVIDSON

Telephone U.S. (714) 576-4224.
Mexico 011-52 (114) 3-6787.
Ride with the wild one's in Baja on a classic Harley.
Tours and rentals, custom to fit your needs.
Buck and his gang will take good care of you.

KARLA MOTOCYCLE RENTALS

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-2188.
Located at Plaza Nautica next to the Baskin Robins.
BMW's, dirt bikes and scooters for rent.
Tours also available to Cabo Falso and El Faro Viejo. 24 hour rates available!

REBEL HARLEY BIKE TOURS

Telephone (888) 737-3235 * (858) 292-6200.
7 and 14 day adventure tours from the Baja border to Cabo San Lucas. And then back up to the border, if you are macho enough!

DIVING & SNORKELING

The waters off of Cabo San Lucas usually offer excellent diving! Snorkelers and Scuba divers will both find what they're looking for here, and then some! Sea life is plentyful, and there is usually very little 'surge' on the Sea of Cortez side of Cabo. Out around the Arch the swells can cause some rougher waters near the surface, but the diving is usually calm at the sand and rock bottom at 30 feet.

Aside from the short periods of rain caused by Chubascos, visibility in summer is generally very good, often reaching 60 to 80 feet. Visibility can be temporarily affected by plankton blooms, but these lower visibility periods usually don't last too long.

Certified divers usually access the better dive spots via boat dives, although there are some great beach dive locations (such as Chileno Beach and Cabo Pulmo) where it's just a short walk from the car. Snorkelers usually enjoy diving the bluffs that start at the entrance to the marina, and run all the way out to Lover's Beach, or head up the coast to Chileno Beach, Santa Maria Bay and the arch at Land's End.

For muti-day live-aboard diving off of southern Baja (including long distance trips to Socorro and Clarion Islands), the 112' "Solmar V" is a fully equiped luxury yacht ready to help you dive in style!

CABO EXPEDITIONS

CABO PULMO DIVERS

Telephone 011-52 (114) 7-1804.
Office is located in Costa Azul, just south of San Jose del Cabo.
Eco-diving tours to the East Cape at Cabo Pulmo.
Trips include transportation, breakfast and lunch.
Most dives in 30' to 60' of water.

GOLF

Palm Springs meets the beach! That seems to be the direction of golfing in the Los Cabos area. Mexico's tourist development company Fonatur started the ball rolling back in the early eighties when they opened the first 9 hole golf course in San Jose Del Cabo.

Since then private industry has come in with 6 additional courses, all beautiful, and more are on the way. Many of the holes offer fabulous ocean views, and quite a few holes are right along the water!

Most of these courses are newer, and consequently in excellent condition!

These great courses are all located in the Los Cabos Corridor, the beautiful 20 mile stretch of coastline between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. So no matter where you are staying, you're never more than 20 minutes from a great set of links.

HOT TIP! Just like Palm Springs, during the summer time in Cabo it's a good idea to grab a morning T-time before things heat up. Either that, or bring along a cooler with your favorite beverage!

SAN JOSE DEL CABO GOLF COURSE

Telephone 011-52 (114) 2-0900.
Paseo Finisterra, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, 23400.
Located in San Jose Del Cabo, just south of town.
Total number of holes: 9.
2,900 yards, par 35.
Champ: 3,141 / Men: 2,909 / Women: 2,444.
Designer: M. Schjetnen.
Carts available.
The least inexpensive place to golf in the Los Cabos area. If you are not in the mood to spend $120 or more for a game of golf at one of the newer and larger courses, these greens will allow you to get your fun and exersize without spending an arm and a leg.

GYMNASIUM & SPA

If you are on a regular exercise routine back at home, and are afraid of 'falling off' while on vacation, don't worry. Keeping in shape in paradise is easy and affordable!

Another fun way to get the heart pumping while getting a larger perspective of Cabo is to jog or walk through town, around the marina, and/or up the the hills of Pedrigal.

And don't forget beach and water sports. Water skiing, diving, jet skiing and volleyball can really burn off the calories. And for the ultimate in getting in shape, dancing until 3:00 a.m. can burn off miles of calories.

HINT! Sitting on the beach or poolside sucking down a cold one does not burn calories, but after a few drinks you really don't care if you are in shape or not!

MARINA SOL BEAUTY & MESSAGE

HIKING

The Cabo area offers hiking options that range from moderate to extreme. If you are just looking for a good cardio work-out, the hills in Pedregal and the trails to the Old Lighthouse offer a great workout, with the extra value of awesome ocean views.

If you are looking for a more serious hike, the Cape can meet or beat your expectations. The mountains north of Cabo rise to an elevation of over 7,000 feet above sea level, and offer trails from easy to most difficult. Access to these trails is from the west side of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, about 40 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. The three main trails that cross the moutains are the Canyon San Bernadino Trail, the Canyon San Pablo Trail, and the Sierra La Laguna Trail. Each trail starts off at a gentle slope, and increase in grade as they head east. The latter is the steepest and most difficult, and will take the average hiker 6 to 8 hours to reach the summit. Hikers who make it to the top of the mountain are rewarded with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, as well as flora and fauna not generally found in the lower elevations in the Cape area. Most hikers up the Sierra la Laguna Trail choose to descend back down on the west side, as the eastern descent is not marked and a challenge most hikers are smart enough to avoid.

For first hand information on these trails, track down John Bragg at Pancho's Restaurant in Cabo. He'll give you a head's up on the in's and out's of these trails. Buy him a cervesa for his time!

HORSEBACK RIDING

Cabo visitors with an affection for horses might enjoy a romp on the beach with a husky steed. If you've always wanted to ride a horse on the beach with the surf pounding at your side, this is the place to do it! You know, kind of like a deodorant commercial. Only for real.

Many of the folks offering horse rentals arejust local families, who may hang out a shingle on the main highway to attract customers. Others take it a step further, such as:

CUADRA SAN FRANCISCO EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Located at the Cabo Real Resort, off of Highway 1, 8 miles north of Cabo.
Desert trail rides and lessons!

RED ROSE RIDING

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-4826.
E-Mail: 10464.1105@compuserve.com.
Located off the Baja Highway at Km. 4, next to Cabo San Lucas Country Club.
Riding on the beach, and in the hills behind Cabo! Western or English saddles.
Morning rides recommended during summer.

REYES COLLINS HORSEBACK

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-3652.
Located behind the Melia San Lucas Hotel on El Medano Beach.
Hourly rides or scheduled trail rides, your choice.
Beach rides and rides to the Old Lighthouse north of town.

KAYAKING

Cabo San Lucas offers excellent kayaking! From the tip of the Baja peninsula at the Arch, all the way up the coast towards San Jose del Cabo, the water is usually calm and clear.

A popular excursion in town includes putting in at the marina, and paddling out past the old cannery towards the Arch. Views along the way include birds, pelicans, seals, and a variety of fish just below the surface! It's a great 2 hour tour, and there are a few nice beaches along the way to stop and stretch. Bringing snorkel gear is a good idea!

Kayaks are available to rent on the main beach in Cabo, and at the locations listed below.

ANDROMEDA WATER SPORTS

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-2765.
Located on El Medano Beach, near The Office Restaurant.

BAJA WILD EXPEDITIONS

CABO ACUADEPORTES

Telephone / Fax 011-52 (114) 3-0117.
VHF channel 82.
Located on the beach in front of the Hacienda Hotel on El Medano Beach.
Kayaks for rent by the hour, steps from the sand. Discounts for longer periods.
This is the perfect location to rent a kayak because it is the closest beach to the cliffs that run along to Los Arcos!
Be careful for boat traffic when crossing through the Cabo Marina entrance!

NOMADAS DE BAJA

PARASAILING

The best way to get high in Cabo San Lucas! This sport has evolved considerably since the old days when they did take-offs and landings from the beach. Although this is still the way it's done in many mainland Mexico resorts, technology has improved, and Cabo is on the cutting edge of parasailing technology.

You are now 'launched' off of a platform off of the rear area of a specially designed boat, well away from shore, providing a more controlled departure and arrival. The view of Cabo San Lucas harbor, the marina, and the surrounding hills is truly spectacular!

GENESIS PARASAIL

Telephone 011-52 (114) 2-0100.
Located on Medano Beach.

JUANCHO'S PARASAIL

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-3093.
Located on Medano Beach, next to Las Palmas restaurant.

CRUISES & YACHTING

Because much of the water directly off of Cabo San Lucas is protected from the west ocean swells, sailing and yachting in and around Cabo is usually a very pleasant experience. Blue water sailors headed for the Mexican mainland, Hawaii, or the South Pacific often stop in Cabo for provisions before heading out to sea. Approximately 1200 yachts stop by Cabo each year, and the number is increasing. The CABO SAN LUCAS MARINA is an excellent facility, offering 320 good moorings, and the town itself offers pretty much whatever may be needed to get you to the next major port. For more Cabo Marina information CLICK HERE.

For more information on sailing in Baja waters, check out the web site CRUISE THE SEA OF CORTEZ. This site is chocked full of valuable information on sailing Baja!

If you are interested in renting a catamaran or a small Sunfish sailboat for a fun cruise in the bay CABO ACUADEPORTES has them for rent in front of the Hacienda Hotel.

YACHT DELIVERY

Cruising down from the west coast of the United States to Cabo San Lucas is usually an enjoyable trip. Following seas make for a relativiely smooth ride while heading south, but bringing her back north again is a different story. Even in good weather, the constant pounding of the ocean swells against the port bow can be a real challenge. For boat owners who just want to sail down, and then fly home, (or for those who want to fly down and fly home!) hiring a yacht delivery service to "bring her home" is a nice option.

NAUTILUS YELLOW SUBMARINE

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-2200.
Located on the marina, just past the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel.
Underwater tours to Land's End and to Neptune's Garden.

PEZ GATO (1 AND 2)

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-3797.
VHF channel 15.
Located at the dock behind the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel.
Offering both the Booze Cruise and the Romantic Cruise on a large catamaran.
Trips to the "Arch" and Santa Maria Bay!
Both boats offer open bars, plus restroom facilities. Most cruises are late afternoon.
American Express, Master Card and Visa accepted.

PIRATE SHIP CRUISES OF CABO

Telephone / Fax 011-52 (114) 3-4050.
Located behind the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel, at slip #19.
Party cruises, pirate cruises and sunset cruises on a 110 foot long, 113 year old "tall ship".
Snacks and all drinks, including their famous "Pirate Punch" are included!
Daily departures.

SURFING

Summer and fall are the best times to catch waves in Cabo, although there can be waves at all different times of the year. The points in and around Cabo go off when there's a chubasco off of the Mexican mainland, or when a southern hemi brings in a swell from below the equator. When the waves are flat in Cabo, it can be a whole different scene up the west coast towards Todos, where it can get double overhead and scary.

Water temperatures hit the 70's before summer, and get outrageous (in the 80's) by August-September. You can still surf without a wetsuit through November, and sometimes into December.

Localism is generally not as bad in Cabo as it is in many parts of the world. Even though the waves belong to everyone, it's a good idea to remember that you are a guest in someone else's territory. If snaking someone on a wave is uncool at your home break, it is definately not appreciated here either. Surf with respect and you will generally be respected. An article in the 1997 May-June issue of Longboard Magazine has some excellent tips on surf etiquette for surfers who want to slide or shred in various parts of the world. Check it out.

SAN PEDRITO

45 minutes north of Cabo off of Highway 19 at Km. 59.
Reef break, lefts and rights.

PLAYA LOS CERRITOS

40 minutes north of Cabo off of Highway 19 at Km. 65.
Beach break and reef break.

MONUMENTS

Just north east of Cabo on Baja Highway One at Km. 5.
Left point reef break, acess down a steep cliff.
Monster lefts off a point reef, fast take-offs, then slower shoulders to a rock / cliff beach.
This break only works with a good sized swell, and you don't want to be out here unless you are ready for anything. The waves bounce around quiet a bit because of the backwash from the cliffs, especially at higher tides. If you are looking for a quick rush, this place is better than any drug.

BAHIA CHILENO

Northeast of Cabo on Baja Highway One at Km. 16.
Reef break, rights and lefts when it gets big.

PUNTA PAMILLA

Northeast of Cabo off of the Baja Highway at the Pamilla offramp.
A right reef break that only breaks when it is h-u-g-e.
Easy beach access. The rocky shore morphs into a sandy bottom offshore, paddling out the channel on the left (east) side is usually the easiest way to get out past the sets.

ACAPULQUITO

Located northeast of Cabo off the Baja Highway at Km. 27.5.
A good place for beginners.

LA ROCA

Located northeast of Cabo off of the Baja Highway at Km. 27.
A reef break with few crowds.

ZIPPERS

Located up Highway One towards San Jose Del Cabo at Km 29, about 2 miles before San Jose del Cabo.
Probably Cabo's most popular break. Everything about this place is easy...which is probably why there's usually a crowd in the water.
Easy parking, easy paddle out (even with a big swell), and great shape on a right breaking wave. Zippers is a reef point break that holds well in w-a-y overhead conditions, and can be lots of fun even with smaller waves (except for the reefs at low tide!).
If you like to show off for an audience, this is the place to get on stage. The rest area / lookout parking lot is just above the break, and there is always an audience watching the action.
A nice, somewhat reasonably priced restaurant is located just up the beach from the break, and is a great place to hang and watch after a session.

ESTUARY - LA BOCANA

Located just east of San Jose del Cabo, just up the coast from the hotel zone, just up from the Presidente Intercontinental Hotel.
A sandbar break that takes a good rain to set up. When the huge estuary behind San Jose del Cabo gets flooded from a good Chubasco, the estuary fills up and then overflows to the ocean. The flow of water leaving the estuary pushes sand out into the ocean, creating a sand bar off shore. These breaks are good left and right, and can get hollow and nasty at low tide. Holds a large swell, up to double overhead. Will not break unless the estary has opened up. So just because a south swell is lining up the Cape with corduroy lines, don't expect this break to always have shape. But when it does break, it's one of the best breaks in southern Baja!

PUNTA GORDA

Located about 30 minutes up the East Cape road.
A right point break that usually doesn't start pumping until it gets overhead.

SHIPWRECKS

Up the East Cape road from San Jose del Cabo about 10 miles.
A right breaking point break that wraps into the sandy cove.
Although Shipwrecks holds a large swell, it can also be fun with a smaller swell. Waves also break on the other end of this beautiful bay (east end - left breaking) the shape is not as consistent. This is also a great beach for just hanging out!

BAJA EXPEDITIONS ZODIAC RAFTING ADVENTURES

CABO DIVING SERVICES

Telephone / Fax 011-52 (114) 3-1110.
Can ski up to 4 skiers at once behind a fast ski boat.

CABO PULMO DIVERS

Telephone 011-52 (114) 4-5353.
Office located in Costa Azul, just outside of San Jose del Cabo.
Eco diving tours in the East Cape at Cabo Pulmo. Most dives 30' to 60'.
Breakfast and lunch included in dive trips, plus transportation.

JUANICO'S BEACH ACTIVITY CENTER

Telephone 011-52 (114) 3-3093.
Located on El Medano beach next to Las Palmas Restaurant.
Water sports, land activities, snacks, bar, sports TV and more.
A great place on the beach to be non-productive or to arrange watersports.

TIO SPORTS

WINDSURFING

Behind the calm glassy waters of San Lucas Bay, on the Pacific Ocean side of Cabo San Lucas, the wind and waves pick up each afternoon with amazing predictability. Few places in Baja offer the combination of strong winds and large swells on such a regular basis. For serious board-heads, the sailing here is every bit as exciting as Buena Vista on the East Cape, and the winds here, though not as strong as Buena Vista, are more consistant. Of course the calm waters of the inner bay are perfect for beginners, with the winds usually coming in from the west behind the harbor, and heading offshore into San Lucas harbor. Basic boards can be rented at the CABO ACUADEPORTES water sports shack below the Hacienda Hotel, near the entrance to the marina. Looking for more information on windsurfing in Baja? Look no further! The great web site of SOLOSPORTS has tons of good information on windsurfing in Baja. Check it out!